Russia. How can a country so rich in natural resources, available labor and a modern infrastructure be unable to feed itself?

It is easier to imagine how a war-torn, overpopulated third world country like Rwanda or Burma (Myanmar) could have malnourished children and soup lines. But not the country that put the first man in space and has loomed as the balance of power on earth for most of our lives.

Less than 10 years ago we were still frozen in the Cold War, standing nose to nose with Russia. Both countries knew where they stood. They could count on Canada and the U.S. producing enough grain to cover their shortage, AND we could count on them having a shortage. It was a great arrangement, particularly because it was financed by the U.S. government.

Food had always been a weapon in the Cold War sparring.

I wrote a column back then stating that communism was the friend of the American farmer. If communism were to give way to democracy, Russia would soon be over-producing like we do, and our grain export market would collapse.

And guess what? Communism did collapse. The Berlin Wall came down, Russia became a free enterprise country, but they are still unable to feed themselves.

Their government is in chaos, they are low on supplies, their money's no good and they are experiencing their coldest winter in 30 years. They are even a worse loan risk than in pre-Gorbachev days. Canada and the U.S. are negotiating billions of dollars worth of foodstuffs.

It is profound that what Russia needs is not improved computer software, medicine, nuclear expertise, better stockbrokers, generals, mechanics, teachers, or even CD players. They need something to eat.

Fear not, my dear Russians, Superman is in the phone booth changing. Help is on the way. Once again the responsibility for saving the day is back on the shoulders of the American farmer. Our State Department will dole out "Food Stamps" according to our political needs, and Russia will get in line behind Rwanda.